The Poll

[kihm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

In light of the comments which have been generated relative to the poll
conducted by the Dinosaur Society/Paleontological Society/Society of
Vertebrate Paleontology, I think a few points should be emphasized.  Please
note, when I write "SVP membership" I am expressing the views of the
majority of members as evidenced by polls  which have been conducted over
the last several years and resolutions passed by the membership at SVP
meetings.  Individuals within SVP may have different views.

First, the current piece of legislation (the "Fossil Preservation Act of
1995" aka the Johnson Bill) was not (underline, bold, large font, etc)
written by SVP.  In fact, the membership of SVP has major objections to the
bill which have been voiced on a number of occasions to Representative
Johnson's staff.  Those objections have not been eliminated in subsequent
revisions of the bill (as of the most recent posting).  

Second, the membership of SVP has supported past legislation (specifically
the Baucus Bill, S.3107 of the 102nd Congress).  This bill was not passed
by Congress, but please note, it dealt only with vertebrate fossils and it
applied only to fossils on public (specifically, federal) lands.  

Third, the membership of SVP has significant concerns about the protection
of vertebrate fossils on federal land and in ensuring that those fossils
which are currently within the public domain, remain within the public
domain.

Now, given that background.  If you have objections to the "Fossil
Preservation Act of 1995" please express those to your congressional
delegation.  If you, as an invertebrate paleontologist, paleobotanist,
micropaleontologist, ichnologist, etc., have concerns about pending
legislation which affects you, and about which you and your professional
society were not consulted, please contact the office of Representative Tim
Johnson (D, SD).  I would prefer to read discussions of the issues at hand,
preservation of fossils, public domain vs. private ownership, fossils as a
commodity vs. fossils as educational or scientific resources, et al.,
rather than accusations about what SVP is attempting to perpetrate on the
paleontological community (both professional and amateur).
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Allen J. Kihm
Department of Earth Science
Minot State University
Minot, ND 58701
<kihm@warp6.cs.misu.nodak.edu>
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